Boxelder Bug Control

When the weather cools down, you may start to notice dark, oval-shaped bugs on the sunny side of your home — or even slipping inside through gaps in windows or doors. These might be boxelder bugs, a common nuisance in the southeastern United States. They’re not dangerous, but large numbers of them can be annoying, especially if they start staining surfaces, leaving behind odors, and creating unsettling clusters on your walls.

That’s where Lookout Pest Control can help. We specialize in boxelder bug control in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky, offering a tailored approach to keep these pests from taking over your home or business.

How Does Boxelder Bug Control Work?

Our boxelder treatment service is designed to get a full picture of the problem, eliminate the problem, and help you prevent the problem from returning. To achieve this, we use a proven three-step process:

1. We start with a full inspection, looking for signs of boxelder bugs on your property. During this stage, our technicians assess where the bugs are coming from and why they’re infesting your property. This allows us to create a custom treatment plan that will solve your problem.
2. Once we know the scope of the problem, we apply targeted treatment around your home — focusing on cracks, crevices, and any areas that boxelder bugs use to get inside. Indoors, we take care not to provide effective removal without disturbing your daily routine. 
3. The final step is long-term prevention and it involves making your home less inviting to these persistent insects. We’ll suggest sealing gaps, fixing damaged screens, and trimming back any branches that might touch your siding. By reducing easy access and removing conditions that attract boxelder bugs, we help ensure they won’t make a return visit.

Common Signs of Boxelder Bugs

If you see these any of these signs, including sightings of boxelder bugs themselves, addressing the issue early helps ensure a minor annoyance doesn’t turn into a full-scale infestation.

• Congregations on Sunny Walls: Boxelder bugs love warmth and often cluster on sunlit surfaces in large numbers.
• Window and Door Frames: You might notice them crawling around windows, doors, or other small entryways.
• Indoor Sightings: During cooler months, they slip inside seeking shelter, sometimes ending up in attics or behind baseboards.
• Staining: If crushed or disturbed, boxelder bugs can leave behind reddish or dark stains on walls, curtains, and fabrics.

Are Boxelder Bugs Dangerous?

Boxelder bugs don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases. They’re more of a nuisance pest, causing stress by their sheer numbers and the mess they can leave behind. In large swarms, they can discolor siding, curtains, or furniture if crushed. Rest assured, though: while they’re a frustration, they don’t pose any immediate threat to people or pets.

Boxelder Bugs vs. Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

Is that a boxelder bug or a brown marmorated stink bug you’re seeing? Although they can seem quite similar at a glance — both love to overwinter indoors on sunny windows, for example — there are a few ways to distinguish boxelder bugs from brown marmorated stink bugs:

• Color and Markings: Boxelder bugs are dark gray or black with distinctive red lines on their backs and edges of their wings. Stink bugs have a mottled brown “shield-shaped” body, often with lighter brown edging.
• Odor: Boxelder bugs can produce a strong, somewhat unpleasant scent if squished, but generally less potent than a stink bug’s.
• Preferred Food: Boxelder bugs feed primarily on boxelder, maple, and ash tree seeds and leaves. Stink bugs enjoy a variety of fruits and veggies

Boxelder Bug Removal Services in Your Area

Lookout Pest Control is your local ally in the fight against boxelder bugs. With deep roots in the Southeast, we have a deep understanding of household pest control in Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky — and we know how to keep your living space free of pesky boxelders. From detailed inspections to targeted treatments and lasting prevention, our approach is designed to give you long-term peace of mind.

Trust Lookout Pest Control for a dependable, professional solution to your boxelder bug problem. Contact us today for a free estimate.